The real fault lies TOTALLY with MS for not making things clear. I started this thread. When I finally got the "courage" to do the update, it was a 60 second non-event. MS just did not make things clear -- in fact, their message was contradictory as they said IE would crash if a certain update was not done first, but the update was for IE11. So, those of us with an earlier version of IE were left hanging. I really do expect better from MS

Also, my set-up merely informs me that updates are ready for my computer. I've read enough horror stories about updates, so I usually wait for Susan's okay before doing the d/-installation.

Unchecked listed Windows updates are unchecked because they are not critical, not because they are not appropriate for the system running the update. They are purely optional and can improve system operation. I almost always install these optional updates and have never run into a problem. I also don't recall Woody ever giving the advice you quoted to never check an unchecked Windows Update. Can you give me a citation?

Well I disagree with Woody on these. There are a few optional updates I ignore like the Bing desktop and language options but I've been installing the others on my PCs and the client machines I've worked on with no reported problems. Since they are truly optional, your PC will work without them but they can be useful - Certificate updates and compatibility fixes come to mind. I just believe in keeping Windows as patched as possible. But YMMV.

Well I disagree with Woody on these. There are a few optional updates I ignore like the Bing desktop and language options but I've been installing the others on my PCs and the client machines I've worked on with no reported problems. Since they are truly optional, your PC will work without them but they can be useful - Certificate updates and compatibility fixes come to mind. I just believe in keeping Windows as patched as possible. But YMMV.

Jerry

I also usually just apply everything which is not obviously a MS Sales Pitch or a prep for an upgrade I don't intend to do. Or a driver-related item. Otherwise, most of the Optional Updates and unchecked items pass muster with Susan Bradley -- eventually. That's good enough for me.